Lutherie

Strong but Light

The bracing inside the top of a guitar is a compromise: Keep the structure light enough to resonate well, but strong enough to stay in one piece. There is more wood to be removed here yet.

The Beginning

Guitar number 1, on the right, has a back and sides of Bitter Cherry. Number 2, built at the same time, is made of East Indian Rosewood. Both have Sitka Spruce tops, and Honduras Mahogany necks.

Guitar Number 2; a 12-fret OM

Numbers 1 and 2, built together, are both OM bodies after Jonathan Kinkead plans, but modified to have necks that join the body at the 12th fret instead of the 14th fret, as is the norm. As a result, the soundhole and bracing are moved lower, and the bridge moves into the "sweet spot" in the centre of the lower bout.

Closing the Box

Gluing the top of guitar number 3 to the sides; the back is already glued. You can never have too many clamps!

A 14-fret OM copy

Number 3 follows British luthier Jonathan Kinkead's version of an OM, or Orchestra Model guitar. This one has Black Walnut back, sides and neck, and a top made of Engelmann Spruce, with "bearclaw" figure.

Let's See What Happens!

Number 5 will have a Bubinga back given to me by a friend. It's prized for its ringing tone. A Western Redcedar top, found floating near a relative's seaside cabin, will contribute a warm, mellow element to the sound. In the background, the sides and edge binding have been bent and are clamped in a mould to keep their shape.

Putting it Together

The neck is glued to the body of the redcedar and bubinga guitar. The geometry of this joint is a critical step in instrument making.

Carving Ukulele Braces

Ukulele construction is less complex than that of guitars, but is trickier because everything is smaller. As much wood as possible is removed to enhance the sound, but maintain structural strength.

Tenor Ukulele Triplets

Two of these ukuleles have Bitter Cherry backs and sides, Western Redcedar tops, and Yellow Cedar necks. The third uses SItka Spruce in the top, a scrap of Wenge, passed along by a friend, for the back and sides, and a Black Walnut neck.

Tenor Ukulele Triplets From the Back

The Tenor Ukulele is the largest of several sizes of ukuleles that use a standard tuning. The sound is a little more fulsome, and they are a little easier to hold .

Symmetrical X-bracing

This style of bracing has been used very successfully by Canadian luthier Jean Larrivée. Here it is destined to be a 12-string guitar with an OM body. The guitar won Best in Show in the 2022 Ladysmith (BC) Fine Crafts Show.

Planing the Rosette

The rosette around the soundhole can be simple or ornate. Ths one uses sustainable abalone from New Zealand. The guitar won Best in Show in the 2022 Ladysmith (BC) Fine Crafts Show.

Sitka Spruce and Black Walnut 12-string

Here is the finished Orchestra Model guitar, with symmetrical X-bracing. It won Best in Show in the 2022 Ladysmith (BC) Fine Crafts Show.

Sitka Spruce and Black Walnut 12-string

Here is the finished Orchestra Model guitar, with symmetrical X-bracing. It won Best in Show in the 2022 Ladysmith (BC) Fine Crafts Show.

The First Dreadnought

This larger-bodied guitar was introduced by the C.F. Martin Company in the 1930s and is the most popular model sold today. This one has a very fine Sitka Spruce top, and back and sides of East Indian Rosewood, a combination well known for the big sound of dreadnought-style guitars.

Dreadnought Bracing

This instrument is based on the venerable C.F. Martin design, with some elements of a guitar designed by the late Bill Lewis of Vancouver.

Dreadnought Detail

The rich rosewood is highlighted by bindings of holly (which does not age yellow as some light woods do) and black and white purflings.